Novelist moves HC accusing 'PK' makers of plagiarism

New Delhi: Novelist Kapil Isapuri has approached the Delhi High Court, accusing the makers of Aamir Khan's film "PK" of plagiarism.

He said certain portions from his Hindi novel "Farishta" published in 2013 were "stolen and copied" and used in the film.

Isapuri has sought punitive damages of Rs.1 crore from the filmmakers along with credit for his work.

The Rajkumar Hirani directorial, which raises questions about religion and people's blind faith in godmen, has been co-produced by Vidhu Vinod Chopra and Hirani. The movie also stars Anushka Sharma and Sanjay Dutt.

The plea, filed through advocate Jyotika Kalra, alleged that the makers of the film as well as scriptwriter Abhijat Joshi stole the characters, expression of ideas and sequences from the novel "Farishta".

"The novel has criticised blind following of so-called godmen and that profession of religion is not natural but is man-made and artificial and, in a group of people, nobody can identify their respective religion," the plea said.

The court recently also dismissed a plea which sought a ban on the film for alleged derogatory remarks against Hindu gods, Hindu beliefs, faith and worship.